Connection device and a method of forming a panel assembly

ABSTRACT

A connection device  10  is provided which securely attaches to a hard plastic or glass pane  101 . The connection device  10  comprises a connection member  11  having a double-sided adhesive tape  35  and having one adhesive side  37  attached to a first surface  50  of the connection device  10 , and a second adhesive side  37  attached to an edge  107  of a glass or plastic pane  101 . A soft fabric material  102  is further attached to the connection device  10  to create a frame portion  104  which encapsulates the connection device  10 . A method  299  is also provided for forming a panel assembly  100.

GENERAL BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to a connection device and to a method for forming a panel assembly, and more particularly to an improved and flexible Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) connection device which is adapted to be selectively attached to a rigid or semi-rigid non-porous material and which may be further selectively attached to and enclosed within a flexible fabric material so as to be used to selectively create protective enclosures for vehicles and/or other tangible structures or entities.

2. Background of the Invention

Connection devices are widely used and are selectively attached to various non-porous panes, such as and without limitation a glass pane, and are adapted to selectively cooperate with other connection devices to selectively create panel assemblies. Particularly, these connection devices are typically flexible entities which are attached to panes and cooperatively secure the panes in a desired manner upon a tangible entity, as in automobiles, boats, and other tangible structures/items to create a finished and durable enclosure that is overall aesthetically pleasing, as well protecting inhabitants against the elements of nature. The combination of a panel and the connection devices to which it is attached may be sometimes referred to as a “panel assembly”.

As an example, a connection device may be selectively attached to a clear pane and housed within a flexible fabric material in order to position the clear pane upon an entity and to cooperate with the positioned pane and other similarly and respectively positioned panes and panel assemblies to create a clear protective enclosure which is adapted to protect occupants from the surrounding environment, while also concomitantly allowing light to enter the formed enclosure. While these panel assemblies do selectively provide the foregoing benefits and functionality, such connection devices and formed panel assemblies suffer from many drawbacks.

By way of example and without limitation, connection devices have been adapted to be attached to a plurality of hard plastic or glass panes by using silicon based and/or rubber-based adhesive material. While this approach does allow for the connection of the connection devices to the panes, these connection devices have not been successful since they are easily damaged (“cracked”) or destroyed from “shock” type energy which may be imparted to these connection devices during even “normal operation” of the tangible item/structure to which these connection devices and formed panel assemblies operatively reside (e.g., such shock type energy may be imparted to such panel which are deployed upon a boat as the boat traverses water). Moreover, the structure of these connection devices does not provide a tight fitting enclosure with which to tightly contain the pane, thereby exacerbating or increasing the likelihood of “shock” type “connection dislodgment”.

Furthermore, other connection devices have utilized conventional glue material in order to be selectively coupled to hard plastic or glass panes in order to allow these panes to cooperatively provide such a desired enclosure. However, these too have suffered drawbacks as a result of substantial stresses placed, during normal operation, at the respective connection joints (i.e., the term “joint” means or refers to the “glue formed” connection between a connection device and a pane). That is, such imparted stresses tend to destroy or damage the connection between the connection device and the pane and causes to created enclosure to become unaesthetically pleasing and to become structurally unstable. Further, air gaps or “bubbles” are frequently found in the “glue connection” and these bubbles compromise the integrity of the connection.

Therefore, many selectively movable entities (e.g., a boat) and other tangible entities have “moved away” from using hard plastic or glass panes and now use the combination of a clear vinyl sheet and one or more connection devices to provide or form a panel assembly which cooperates with other similarly formed panel assemblies (e.g., as earlier stated, the term “panel assembly” means the combination of the pane or sheet and the connection devices to which it is attached) to create an enclosure. However, while such as assembly is resistant to “shock” type damage or dislodgment, clear vinyl sheets tend to wrinkle and thus develop “lumps” when used in harsh outdoor environments, which in time make these panel assemblies difficult to clean, reduces visibility through these panel assemblies, and provides for a very unasthetically-pleasing overall appearance

Further, other connection devices utilize a silicon rubber-based adhesive material to attach these connection devices to the edges of the glass or plastic panes in order to securely position these panes in a desired manner upon the frame of a tangible entity, such as a boat. However, these connection devices also have drawbacks since the rubber-based adhesive material frequently separates from the connection device or “crack” after limited use.

Thus, the joint or connection between the connection devices and the pane is frequently destroyed and the respective structural integrity of the formed panel assemblies are frequently and undesirably compromised.

The present invention overcomes these and other disadvantages and drawbacks of prior and currently utilized connection devices in a new and novel manner.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is a first non-limiting object of the present invention to provide a connection device to selectively attach to a pane and which overcomes some or all of the previously delineated drawbacks of prior and existing connection assemblies.

It is a second non-limiting object of the present invention to provide a new and improved connection device which overcomes some or all of the previously delineated drawbacks of prior connection assemblies, such as by way of example and without limitation those which are set forth above.

It is a third non-limiting object of the present invention to provide a new and improved connection device which has sufficient strength to selectively and securely attach a connection device to a non-porous pane so as to secure the pane to various types of panel assemblies that are strong and resistant to failure.

It is a fourth non-limiting object of the present invention to provide a method for creating a flexible panel assembly, which overcomes some or all of the drawbacks which have been delineated above.

According to a first non-limiting aspect of the present invention, a connection device is provided and includes a flexible connection member, wherein said connection member comprises a top surface and a bottom surface; a pair of ribs disposed on top surface of said connection member, wherein said flexible ribs form a channel on said top surface; and a pliable double-sided adhesive portion attached to said channel of said connection member, effective to allow said top surface to be securely attached to a clear pane along a surface of said clear pane.

According to a second non-limiting aspect of the present invention, a method for attaching rigid panes to a connection device, the method comprising the steps of providing semi-rigid panes; providing a connection device having a top surface comprising a double-sided adhesive strip; attaching transparent semi-rigid pane to exposed surface of adhesive strip and pressing firmly to form a secure attachment.

According to a third non-limiting aspect of the present invention, a method for forming a clear transparent panel assembly, the method comprising the steps of providing a plurality of transparent semi-rigid panes; providing a pair of connection assemblies each having a adhesive strip; encasing said transparent semi-rigid pane in a flexible frame, made of flexible fabric material, by (1) folding flexible fabric material around a first connection device while exposing pliable adhesive strip and stitching flexible fabric material along folded end; (2) folding flexible fabric material around a second connection device while exposing said second pliable adhesive strip and stitching flexible fabric material along said folded end; (3) stitching first connection device along a lip portion to second connection device along lip portion elongated portion, so as to form a pocket; (4) attaching transparent semi-rigid panes to adhesive strip of first connection device and second connection device; (5) stitching first fabric material to second fabric material; and (6) repeating steps 1-5 to completely encase semi-rigid panes in a flexible frame, made of flexible fabric material.

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art from a reading of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment of the invention, including the subjoined claims, and by reference to the enclosed drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tangible entity, such as a boat having at least one connection device which is made in accordance with the teachings of the preferred embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the combination of the clear rigid panel which is operatively deployed upon the boat which is shown in FIG. 1 and the plurality of improved connection devices which are made in accordance with the teachings of the preferred embodiment of the invention and which cooperatively position the clear rigid panel upon the boat.

FIG. 3 is a back view of the combination of a clear rigid panel and the plurality of connection devices which is shown in FIGS. 1-2.

FIG. 4 is a perspective exploded view of one of the connection devices and which is shown in phantom in FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is an unassembled side view of the connection device as seen in FIG. 3 in the direction of view arrow 5.

FIG. 6 is a side sectional view of the combination of a clear rigid panel and the plurality of connection devices which are shown in FIG. 2 and taken in the direction of view line 6-6.

FIG. 7 is a side view showing a pane being selectively and operatively inserted into a pair of substantially similar and functionally cooperating connection devices of the type which are shown in FIG. 1-6.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart illustrating and comprising the method of forming a panel assembly according to the teachings of the preferred embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to FIGS. 1-3, there is shown a plurality of panel assemblies, 100, 110, 120, and 130, which are made in accordance with the teachings of the preferred embodiment of the invention and which each respectively include a clear pane 101 and several connection devices, such as connection device 10, 15, 25, 45, 55, 65, 75, 85. The plurality of panel assemblies 100, 110, 120, 130 are substantially identical and are mutually coupled and cooperatively form an enclosure 150. It should be appreciated that substantially any type of enclosure may be formed by the panel assembly of this invention and that he invention is not limited to a boat enclosure or any other type of enclosure.

These connection devices, such as connection devices 10, 15, 25, 45, 55, 65, 75, 85, are connected to and housed within material 104 (e.g., which may be flexible fabric material) and the connection devices 10, 15, 25, 45, 55, 65, 75, 85 are attached to the clear pane 101 which is also connected to and partially housed within the material 104. The material 104 is coupled to the frame 106 of the boat or other entity that the pane 101 is operatively positioned within and/or upon and such connection may be made by glue or any other type of fastener/connector strategy.

Particularly, the connection device 10 is attached to pane 101 and cooperates with other substantially similar connection devices 15, 25, 45, 55, 65, 75, 85 to cooperatively secure pane 101 at a desired position with respect to the boat 105 and the respective connections between the pane 101 and each device 10, 15, 25, 45, 55, 65, 75, 85 are hidden by the housing material 104, making for an overall aesthetically pleasing appearance. The combination of a pane, such as pane 101, the connection devices 10, 15, 25, 45, 55, 65, 75, 85 to which it is attached, and the housing material portion 104, cooperatively form a “panel assembly” 100.

A panel assembly, such as panel assembly 100, may be selectively attachable to other substantially similar panel assemblies 110, 120, 130, each of which may be substantially similar to panel assembly 100, in order to selectively and cooperatively create semi-rigid durable enclosures of different sizes and configurations, and this attachment may be made by selectively attaching respective housing material portions 104 of various panel assemblies 100, 110, 120, 130 through the use of glue, metal snaps, or other attachment techniques. As a non-limiting example, which may be best shown in FIG. 1, the clear view panel assembly 100 is attached to other substantially similar panel assemblies 110, 120, 130, to allow the attached panel assemblies 100, 110, 120, 130 to cooperatively create an enclosure for the bridge 150 of a boat 105 and thereby protect the enclosed area from the elements of nature while providing an overall aesthetically pleasing appearance. It should be appreciated that panel assemblies made in accordance with the teachings of the invention, may form enclosures of substantially any shape and size and that they may be deployed upon any tangible entity.

Referring now to FIGS. 4-7, there is shown a connection device 10 which is made according to the preferred embodiment of the invention, and which may be operatively utilized within a panel assembly. It should be appreciated that while only a single connection device 10 is described, the following description also describes each of the other substantially identical connection devices 15, 25, 45, 55, 65, 75, 85.

Particularly and best seen in FIG. 5, connection device 10 includes a flexible body member 11 which is preferably formed of Poly-Vinyl Chloride (“PVC”) material and has a first portion 14 having a first thickness 16 at edge 18. The thickness of portion 14 varies (e.g., gets larger) in a direction 4 from edge 18 to the integrally formed rib portion 20. Body 11 may alternatively be formed from another type of material, other than PVC.

That is, body 11 includes an integrally formed rib portion 20 and first portion 14 integrally terminates into rib portion 20. Rib portion 20 has a first height 22 and rib portion 20 is linearly coextensive to edge 18 of portion 14. Body portion 11 has a thickness 23 which varies and increases in a direction 4 from edge 41 of rib portion 20 to edge 40 of rib portion 20, and edge 40 integrally terminates into the integrally formed groove portion 50. That is, body 11 includes an integrally formed groove or channel portion 50 and groove or channel portion 50 integrally terminates into rib portion 60 and, in one non-limiting embodiment “lies between” the rib portions 20, 60. The rib portion 60 has second height 62 which is larger than height 22. Moreover, rib portion 60 is linearly coextensive to rib portion 20 and to groove portion 50.

Body portion 11 further has a thickness 63 which varies and decreases in a direction 4 from edge 58 of rib portion 60 to edge 59 of rib portion 60. Also, groove portion 50 has a thickness 70 which varies in a direction starting from edge 40 of rib portion 20 to edge 58 of rib portion 60. That is, the thickness 70 of groove portion 50 increases in a direction 4 from edge 40 of rib portion 20 to about the longitudinal axis of symmetry 90 of groove portion 50 and decreases in thickness in a direction 4 starting at the longitudinal axis of symmetry 90 to the edge 58 of rib portion 60.

Further, body 11 has an integrally formed lip portion 30 which is linearly coextensive to and integrally terminates into rib portion 60 and which has a first thickness 32 at edge 34. The thickness of portion 30 varies in a direction 4 and decreases in the direction 4 from edge 59 of rib portion 60 to edge 34. Furthermore, longitudinal axis of symmetry 90 of groove 50 is located at a distance 302 from edge 34 while axis of symmetry 90 is located at a distance 300 from edge 18 so that width 33 of body 11 from edge 59 to edge 34 is at least twice the width 17 of body 11 from edge 41 to edge 18, and in one non-limiting embodiment, the connection device 10 is formed having a width 1 from edge 18 to edge 34 of about 1.398 inches. It should be appreciated that other widths may be utilized for the dimension referenced by numeral “1”.

Connection device 10 also includes a double-sided pressure sensitive adhesive tape 35 which has a first surface 37 and a second surface 36 that is opposite to first surface 37 and each surface 36, 37 has a respective adhesive material 38 fully deposited thereon.

First surface 37 is affixed to groove 50 so that adhesive tape 35 is linearly coextensive to groove 50 and ribs 60, 20, while substantially filling the entire exposed surface groove 50, while second surface 36 is positioned to be selectively attached to pane 101. Connection device 10 is attached to a surface 107 of pane 101. That is, the second surface 36 of tape 35 is pressed firmly against the substantially planar surface 107 of pane 101 so that rib 20 and surface 36 contact surface 107 of pane 101, thereby being effective to cause the connection device 10 to be securely attached to pane 101.

Pane 101 is positioned on connection device 10 by placing surface 107 of pane 101 on adhesive surface 36 while aligning edge 109 of pane 101 to abut edge 58 of rib portion 60 and pressing firmly against pane 101 to securely attach pane 101 to surface 36. Aligning edge 109 to abut edge 58 causes surface 107 of pane 101 to attach to the entire surface 36 of tape 35, thereby maximizing the attachment force between the pane 101 and connection device 10

Since the connection device 10 uses adhesive tape 35 and not glue, this attachment greatly reduces the likelihood that air gaps may be created/formed within the created adhesive connection, therefore creating a more secure attachment. Also, flexible adhesive tape 35, cooperates with the flexible PVC connection device 10 to absorb shock and vibrations from the environment during “normal operation” in selectively movable entities (e.g., such as a boat) and thereby reduces the likelihood of cracks and damage to pane 101, which increases the life of panel assembly 101. Tape 35 may comprise commercially available adhesive tape, and in one non-limiting embodiment, 3M® VHB® adhesive tape ⅜ inches by 0.045 inches is used, although other commercially available double-sided tape having the desired features and characteristic may be used.

Panel assembly 100 may also include fabric material 102 which is or may be selectively attached to and encapsulates connection device 10, as is perhaps best shown in FIGS. 6-7.

That is, fabric material 102 is selectively attached to connection device 10 by folding fabric 102 around portion 14 of connection device 10 beginning at edge 41 of rib 20 so that fabric or other type of material 102 abuts edge 41. Fabric material 102 is further folded around edge 18 and extended past edge 34, along bottom surface 12 in direction 9, to cover the connection device 10. Next, stitches 203 are applied to portion 14 at edge 41 so that stitches 203 are linearly coextensive with edge 18, thereby physically and securely attaching the previously positioned fabric material 102 to connection device 10. Similarly, connection devices 15, 25, 45, 55, 65, 75, 85 are formed in substantially the same manner.

In one non-limiting assembly 160, and as seen in FIG. 6, clear pane 101 has two generally flat and opposed surfaces 107 and 108 and a first connection device, such as connection device 10, adheres to a first surface 107 of the pane 101 and a second connection device, such as connection device 15, which may be substantially similar to connection device 10, adheres to the second surface 108 and is coupled to the first connection device 10. These two substantially identical connection devices 10, 15 therefore cooperatively form a pane reception groove 200 (e.g., groove 200 is formed by respectively aligned grooves 50) and securely position the pane 101 within the formed groove 200 and within the material 102.

That is, adhesive surface 36 of tape 35 of first connection device 10 is coupled to first surface 107 so that edge 58 of first connection device 10 abuts against edge 109 of pane 101, and adhesive surface 36 of tape 35 of second connection device 15 is coupled to second surface 108 so that edge 58 of second connection device 15 abuts against edge 109 of pane 101, such that ribs 60, 20 of connection device 10 are respectively aligned with ribs 60, of connection device 15 and causes connection device 10 to align with connection device 15 (e.g., the pane 101 is captured between the two pairs of alignment ribs, the first pair being rib 20 of device 10 and rib 20 of device 15 and the second pair being rib 60 of device 10 and rib 60 of device 15).

That is, aligned and respectively cooperating ribs 60 prevent the captured pane 101 form traveling in a direction 9 while aligned and respectively cooperating ribs 20 frictionally engage pane 101 thereby preventing movement of the captured pane 101 in either direction 9 or direction 301. The aligned and fabric covered ends 14 also frictionally engage the captured pane 101 and prevent movement of the pane 101 in either direction 9 or 301. Further, connection device 10 may be coupled to connection device 15 along respective portions 30 of connection devices 10, 15 by any desired fastening technique, such as by way of example and without limitation, the use of glue, and fabric 102 of connection device 10 may be joined (e.g., by the use of stitches 202) with fabric 102 of connection device 15. Further, fabric material 102 of connection device 10 may be stitched to fabric 102 of connection device 15 at end 111. Panel assembly 100 is formed by attaching substantially similar connection devices 25, 45, 55, 65, 75, 85 to pane 101 and using the material 102 to form a panel assembly 100 that is aesthetically pleasing.

It is important to note that the structure of the cooperating connection devices 10, 15 function to provide additional stability to the coupling, provided by tape 35, of pane 101 to these devices 10, 15. That is, as earlier stated, pane 101 is frictionally captured between respectively aligned ribs 20 and the aligned ribs 20 cooperate to frictionally secure the captured pane 101 within groove 200. Further, the respective ends 14 also captures the pane 101, thereby further frictionally holding the pane 101 within the groove 200 and preventing the captured pane 101 from traveling in direction 301. The aligned ribs 60 provide a “back stop”, which prevents the pane 101 from traveling in direction 9. The respective tape 35 of each device also reduces the likelihood of movement of the captured pane 101 in either direction 9 or 301.

Referring now to FIG. 8, there is shown a methodology or flow chart 299 comprising a method of forming a panel assembly, such as panel assembly 100.

Methodology 299 begins with step 300, pane 101 is cut to a desired shape and size. Step 300 is followed by step 310 in which connection assemblies, such as connection assemblies 10, 15, are formed or provided and fabric material 102 is respectively folded around each connection assembly 10, 15 in the manner previously delineated.

Step 320 follows step 310 and, in step 320, fabric material is now respectively attached to or stitched to connection devices 10, 15.

Step 320 is followed by step 330 in which connection devices 10, 15 are aligned so that rib portions 20, 60 of connection device 10 are respectively aligned with rib portions 20, 60 of connection device 15, and connection devices 10, 15 are stitched or connected to each other, as is the respective fabric material 102. Further, respective groove portions 50 are aligned when connection device 10 is coupled to connection device 15 and the coupled devices 10, cooperatively form slot 200. Step 340 follows step 330 and, in step 340, pane 101 is inserted into the cooperatively formed groove 200 and respective adhesive tape 35 of connection assemblies 10, 15 are respectively and selectively pressed firmly against surface 107, 108 of pane 101 to form a secure attachment. Step 340 is followed by step 350, and in step 350, the respective fabric 102 is stitched at the respective ends 111. Step 360 follows step 350 and denotes the formation of a panel assembly. It should be appreciated that steps 300-350 may be repeated as often as necessary if additional connection devices are to be attached to pane 101.

Thus, it should be appreciated that the foregoing inventions, in part, provide a plurality of connection device 10, 15, 25, 45, 55, 65, 75, 85 housed within frame member 104 and selectively and securely attached to a hard transparent or semi-transparent pane 101 to form panel assemblies 100 in order to secure pane 101 to selective entities or to create various enclosure for selective entities.

Further, it should be appreciated that the foregoing panel assembly 100 may be adapted to replace current clear view panels used on entities, and also may be used to create various enclosures that protect the user from the natural environment, while also providing high visibility, being easy to clean and maintain, and protecting the pane from damage due to shock.

It is to be understood that the inventions are not limited to the exact construction or methodology which has been described above, but that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and the scope of the inventions as they are more fully delineated in the following claims. 

1) A connection device comprising: a flexible connection member comprising a first surface and a second surface; a first and second rib disposed on top surface of said connection member, wherein said first and said second ribs form a channel on said first surface; and a pliable double-sided adhesive tape attached to said channel and effective to allow said first surface to be securely attached to a surface of a pane. 2) The connection device of claim 1 wherein a thickness of said connection member varies from a first edge to a second edge. 3) The connection device of claim 2, wherein said connection member is Polyvinyl chloride. 4) The connection device of claim 3 wherein said adhesive tape has a first adhesive surface attached to said channel and a second opposite adhesive surface that is attached to a surface of said pane. 5) A connection device comprising a body having a first edge of a first height and a second edge of a second height, said second height being longer than said first height; a groove portion formed between said first and said second edges and being linearly coextensive to said first and said second edges, wherein said groove portion has a varying thickness along a longitudinal axis of symmetry of said groove portion and said thickness increases from said first edge to said longitudinal axis and said thickness decreases from said longitudinal axis to said second edge; and a double-sided adhesive portion attached to said groove and being linearly coextensive to said groove and having an exposed adhesive surface, effective to allow said body to be securely attached to a clear pane. 6) A connection assembly comprising a pane having a first surface and a second surface; a first connection device and further comprising a body having a first edge of a first height and a second edge of a second height, said second height being longer than said first height; a first groove portion formed between said first and said second edges and being linearly coextensive to said first and said second edges, wherein said first groove portion has a varying thickness along a longitudinal axis of symmetry of said first groove portion; and a first adhesive portion attached to said first groove and being linearly coextensive to said first groove and having a second adhesive surface attached to said first surface of said pane; a second connection device further comprising a body having a third edge of a third height and a fourth edge of a fourth height, said fourth height being longer than said third height; a second groove portion formed between said third and said fourth edges and being linearly coextensive to said third and said fourth edges, wherein said second groove portion has a varying thickness along a longitudinal axis of symmetry of said second groove portion; and a third adhesive portion attached to said second groove and being linearly coextensive to said second groove and having a fourth adhesive surface attached to said second surface of said pane; a first and second fabric material attached to said first and said second connection devices, effective to cause said first and said second connection devices to be securely attached to said window pane. 7) A method for forming a panel assembly, the method comprising the steps of: providing a non-porous semi-rigid pane having a first smooth surface and a second smooth surface; providing a plurality of connection devices, wherein said connection devices having double-sided adhesive tape; encasing said semi-rigid pane in a flexible frame, made of flexible fabric material, by 1) folding a first flexible fabric material around a first connection device while exposing said pliable adhesive tape, and stitching said flexible fabric material along folded end; 2) folding a second flexible fabric material around a second connection device while exposing said pliable adhesive tape and stitching said fabric material along said folded end; 3) stitching first connection device to second connection device so as to form a pocket 4) inserting said semi-rigid pane into said pocket; 5) attaching adhesive strip of first connection device to said first surface of said pane and second connection device to said second surface of said pane; 6) stitching said first fabric material to said second fabric material; and 7) repeating steps 1-6 to completely encase semi-rigid panes in a flexible frame. 